Provided by the Council of Publishing Home Designers, an affiliate of the American Institute of Building Design.
Home Plans Are Copyrighted
Just like books, movies and songs, federal copyright laws protect the intellectual property of architects and home designers. These legal protections exist to protect all parties. Copyright laws respect & support the intellectual property of the original architect or designer, and prevent anyone from using the design without written permission.
License Agreement
Purchasing our home designs grants the purchaser a copyright release and a license to use the documents to construct the home based on the license purchased (Single Use, Unlimited Use PDF or CAD File). When you purchase construction documents, we, as licensor, are granting to you, as licensee, the right to use the documents as purchased. This is an exclusive license, which may not be resold, duplicated, published or distributed without written permission of the home designer, Garner Family House Plans.
Making Design Modifications
As a plan licensee, you may customize the design to fit your personal preferences. Our staff of designers are always available to work with you and create a home design with your personal touch. Modified plans are considered “derivative works” of the original and it is crucial that you understand that these “derivative works” as well as the original work, still retain copyright protection. No “derivative work” or revised design, even if completely redrawn, may be sold, duplicated, distributed or used to construct any units without the purchase of a license from the publisher, architect or home designer.
Do Not Copy Designs/Floor Plans From Any Magazine, Book Electronic Medium or Existing Home
It is illegal to copy home designs found in any plan book or on the internet. It is a common misunderstanding that it is permissible to copy, adapt or change a floor plan or a design found in a magazine. It is not! It is also illegal to copy any existing home that may have been built, that is protected by copyright, even if you have never seen the plans for the home. If a particular home plan or existing home is desired, a set of plans must be purchased from the publisher, home designer or architect.
Using The Home Plans
As a plan licensee, you may lend the home plans to third parties (builders, contractors, sub-contractors, inspectors, governmental agencies, etc.) as necessary to assist in the construction of the dwelling involved. All such lent plans must be retrieved and destroyed, except for the owner’s reference sets, and those sets required by governmental agencies, after such assistance has been completed.
Who Is Responsible For Copyright Infringement?
All parties, including the purchasers, designers, drafters, homeowners, builders, contractors, sub-contractors and printers may be responsible if a copyright is violated. It does not matter if an individual knows that a violation is being committed. You’ve heard it before; ignorance of the law is not a valid defense! To avoid legal complications and damages, it is critical that you be certain of the original plan source and refuse to be a party to any illicit copying or borrowing of designs, derivative works, prints and design features.
Please Respect Home Design Copyrights
In the event of any suspected violation of a copyright, or any uncertainty about the plans purchased, you should contact the publisher, home designer or architect, and the Council of Publishing Home Designers before proceeding. Should you discover a copyright violation of a Garner Family House Plans home design, please contact us immediately.
Penalties For Infringement
Penalties for violating a copyright may be severe. The responsible parties are required to pay for the home designer or architects actual damages (which may be substantial), plus any profits made. The copyright law also allows the home designer or architect to recover statutory damages, which may be required to pay the architect or home designer’s reasonable legal fees, which often exceed the damages.
